Whatcom Community College
Home MenuAcademics » Areas of Study » Culture & Society » Sociology
Sociology Pathway
This pathway assumes:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
SOCIOLOGY, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in sociology. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
EDPL 100 College Success (2 credits)
| Description | Designed for students new to the college environment. Introduction to college services; study skills and time management; educational planning and career exploration; and skills necessary to become a successful student. Lectures, small group discussion, and experiential exercises. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)
| Description | Study of human group life emphasizing socialization, social structure,and social interaction patterns. Class work augmented by individual study experience situations. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking (5 credits)
| Description | Critical thinking ability is highly valued among employers. This course introduces you to sound reasoning principles used in daily life. Covers informal, non-symbolic introduction to logic with emphasis on real-life examples. Students learn how to critically evaluate their own reasoning and how to construct arguments. (H) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 12-17
Course note: EDPL 100 is optional, but it can be very helpful if you don't have much college experience. Take it with either two or three of the other courses.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
SOC 120 Marriage and Family (5 credits)
| Description | Scientific study of the social institution of marriage and family. Family related issues and types; relationships, socialization, mate selection, alternative enduring relationships, and divorce. Varieties and functions of contemporary American and cross cultural marriages and families. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits )
| Description | Study of the phenomenon of deviance with implications for society at large. Specific problems covered include crime, delinquency and family dissolution. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 210 Urban Sociology (5 credits )
| Description | Analyzes the transition and development of urban environments and the impact on human behavior and activities. Includes theory, origins, problems and resources associated with cities. Sources of change examined along with cross cultural variations in urbanization, modernization and industrialization. (SSg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 220 Contemporary Social Issues (5 credits )
| Description | Examination of current social issues. Includes in-depth study of an issue of student's choice. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 250 Multicultural Issues (5 credits )
| Description | Focuses on learning about the local ethnic populations in terms of community issues identified by representatives from these populations. Students will also look at how ethnic values, culture and heritage affect these issues. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Fundamental course in communication theory. Students will apply knowledge in variety of settings including interpersonal, public speaking, and small group communication. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to communication theory and public speaking emphasizing organization, audience analysis, oral styles, and use of visual aids. Includes presentation of various types of public speeches and analyses of contemporary speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits )
| Description | Introduces students to the theory and practice of small group communication. Course covers interpersonal relationships in groups, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, and presentations speaking in a variety of settings. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
| Description | Rigorous introduction to statistical methods and hypothesis testing. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabular and pictorialmethods for describing data; central tendencies; mean; modes; medians; variance; standard deviation; quartiles; regression; normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing, one and two-tailed tests. Applications to business, social sciences, and sciences. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: If you're considering WCC's bachelor of applied science degree in social work, MATH& 146 fulfills one of its prerequisites.
Career exploration: Compare the different sociology majors at universities you're interested in.
Quarter 3
SALI 201 Introduction to The Salish Sea (5 credits)
| Description | An introduction to the complex ecologies and human experiences of theSalish Sea region. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to content in the natural and social sciences, and integrates experiential learning through local regional field trips, including cross-border experiences. (SSdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)
| Description | Fundamental concepts of biology including biodiversity, process and application of science, intersections of science and society, ecological principles, and genetics. For non-science majors. Lab work included. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: If you would prefer a different social science and/or lab science, consult the suggested list below or click for complete lists.
Career exploration: Apply to be a sociology tutor in the Learning Center next year.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Career exploration: Attend an info session about WCC's Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Social Work.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you opted for 12 credits in Quarter 1, this might be a good time to catch up.
Quarter 4
SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
HUMANITIES click for list (5 credits)
ELECTIVE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Meet with the Learning Contracts coordinator about independent study with a faculty mentor. You can take a WCC course that's not in the schedule or design a course around your own topic.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities or to the BAS in social work. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
SOC 120 Marriage and Family (5 credits)
| Description | Scientific study of the social institution of marriage and family. Family related issues and types; relationships, socialization, mate selection, alternative enduring relationships, and divorce. Varieties and functions of contemporary American and cross cultural marriages and families. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits )
| Description | Study of the phenomenon of deviance with implications for society at large. Specific problems covered include crime, delinquency and family dissolution. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 210 Urban Sociology (5 credits )
| Description | Analyzes the transition and development of urban environments and the impact on human behavior and activities. Includes theory, origins, problems and resources associated with cities. Sources of change examined along with cross cultural variations in urbanization, modernization and industrialization. (SSg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 220 Contemporary Social Issues (5 credits )
| Description | Examination of current social issues. Includes in-depth study of an issue of student's choice. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 250 Multicultural Issues (5 credits )
| Description | Focuses on learning about the local ethnic populations in terms of community issues identified by representatives from these populations. Students will also look at how ethnic values, culture and heritage affect these issues. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL 201 Advanced Composition (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL 202 Writing About Literature (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop skills in reading and writing about literature. Students analyze literature based on elements of genres, including fiction, poetry, and/or drama, and develop essays using strategies of literary analysis. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL& 230 Technical Writing (3 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
IDS 113 Quantitative Methods In The Social Sciences (5 credits)
| Description | An interdisciplinary quantitative methods course from a social science perspective; includes problem-solving, research design, sampling and ethical parameters for working with human subjects. Recommended preparation: one course in Anthropology, Sociology or Psychology. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another ELECTIVE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
LEARNING CONTRACT (2-5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 13-20
Course note: If you choose the 3-credit version of technical writing, double-check that your total 100- and 200-level credits will add up to at least 90.
Course note: This quarter's learning contract is optional.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
SOC 120 Marriage and Family (5 credits)
| Description | Scientific study of the social institution of marriage and family. Family related issues and types; relationships, socialization, mate selection, alternative enduring relationships, and divorce. Varieties and functions of contemporary American and cross cultural marriages and families. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits )
| Description | Study of the phenomenon of deviance with implications for society at large. Specific problems covered include crime, delinquency and family dissolution. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 210 Urban Sociology (5 credits )
| Description | Analyzes the transition and development of urban environments and the impact on human behavior and activities. Includes theory, origins, problems and resources associated with cities. Sources of change examined along with cross cultural variations in urbanization, modernization and industrialization. (SSg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 220 Contemporary Social Issues (5 credits )
| Description | Examination of current social issues. Includes in-depth study of an issue of student's choice. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or SOC 250 Multicultural Issues (5 credits )
| Description | Focuses on learning about the local ethnic populations in terms of community issues identified by representatives from these populations. Students will also look at how ethnic values, culture and heritage affect these issues. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH/SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
ELECTIVE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
Humanities or electives
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
Recommended for students interested in gender and sexuality
Social Sciences or electives
- ANTH& 100 Survey of anthropology
- ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology
- ANTH& 210 Indians of North America
- ANTH& 216 Northwest coast Indians
- CJ& 101 Intro to criminal justice
- HIST 124 Environmental history of the United States
- HIST& 126 World civilizations I
- HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest history
- HIST& 215 Women in US history
- HIST& 219 Native American history
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 152 Religion, society and self-concept
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
- POLS& 101 Intro to political science
- POLS& 201 Intro to political theory
- POLS& 202 American government
- PSYC& 100 General psychology
Note: PSYC& 100 fulfills a prerequisite for WCC's bachelor of applied science degree in social work. - PSYC 211 Social psychology
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
Science/Math or electives
- ANTH& 205 Biological anthropology
- ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab
- ASTR& 100 Survey of astronomy
- ENVS& 100 Survey of environmental science
- ENVS& 101 Intro to environmental science (with lab)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
- PHYS& 110 Physics for non-science majors (with lab)
- PHYS& 114 General physics (with lab) (requires MATH& 142)